a peek inside the fishbowl

1 | Marla

June 15th, 2007 at 7:56 am

My best buffet tips?

Get a seat near to and facing the buffet, so you can see when the trays have been freshly re-filled, then make a beeline. Otherwise, you get the lukewarm stuff that’s been sneezed on.

And don’t fill up on the cheap stuff, or anything you can make for yourself at home. Stick to the high-ticket items – meats, desserts etc.

Avoid ethnic foods at an non-ethnic place, and vice versa. Enjoy what they do best. I mean, nobody really wants a McDonald’s salad, do they? Just get the damn cheeseburger and fries -that’s what they do best.

Avoid going on any days when there are extra discounts for Seniors or Children. They’ll serve cheaper food, and you’ll have more competition.

If you’re going to leave food on your plate, mangle it so it can’t be re-served.

What?

How do I know these things?

I’m not an “all you can eat buffet” person – I SWEAR.

I learned from the pros – my folks. They’ve spent years honing their mad buffet skillz on junkets to Atlantic City. Though once, in Vegas, I did see one bold senior get moved to the front of the line because she was in a wheelchair; then she stood up and used her wheelchair seat to roll four plates back to her table. That took balls of brass!

Oh…and some of the Chinese buffet places here in TO got yellow passes for re-serving food. Yuck.

2 | a grrl with a blog

June 15th, 2007 at 8:54 am

I really love Tucker’s Market in the Byward Market.

Lots of variety, good home cookin’, and it isn’t expensive.

As you mentioned, Light of India is fabulous. Small, but the food is soooo good.

I also go to the Chinese buffet at Bank & Hunt Club, but I can’t remember what it is called.

3 | Jenn

June 15th, 2007 at 10:28 am

Marla cracks me up.
I personnally stay away from buffets- there are few places I trust enough to eat long held communal food. My father in law loves them and and only ever wants to go to buffets. He seems to think it is a great value.
Brookstreet Hotel has a fantastic brunch buffet on Sundays. Great chance for kids to try new things.
My rule with the kids is that the plate must come back to the table looking colourful- Hard to do at some of the ethnic spots but forces them to try something they may have passed up before.

4 | Tiana

June 15th, 2007 at 12:17 pm

I need to give you anextra push for East India Company. Everything there is freshly made from scratch. They also have a different ‘theme’ each night. Tuesday is vegetarian (You can still get some meat dishes but there are fewer to choose from) and I think Friday is Chinese Fusion.

Lunch costs about 5$ less than dinner per person.

5 | Vicki

June 15th, 2007 at 2:14 pm

Moni Mahal – Indian buffet 164 Laurier av E – huge variety of Indian food. Lots of vegetarian options. Good selection of dessert as well.

6 | Vicki

June 15th, 2007 at 2:23 pm

Just remembered another good one – Roses Indian on Richmond Rd. Excellent Indian. Wonderful owners. Often there is live music. The tables are beautiful as well.

7 | liss76

June 15th, 2007 at 3:53 pm

Ceylonta on Somerset, between Kent and Bank. It’s Sri Lankan/ South Indian food and very yummy. They do a lunch buffet and a weekend brunch buffet.

They’re kid-friendly, but your kid can’t be afraid of a little (or a lot of) flavour!

8 | Patti

June 15th, 2007 at 6:12 pm

Host India on Montreal Rd. east of St. Laurent. Really delicious, nice surroundings, friendly, helpful staff.